In addition to learning the core, a student would have to integrate the movements of each core art into a working whole.

How about making the ranking system into a college type course of study? There are required core arts and after meeting the core arts levels and achieving a ranked competency in each and passing a integrated skills test belt ranking (ie, the MMA belt ranking), one would move on to specialize as it fits your personal abilities for stipes or hello kitty patches. A student would end up with a set or core competencies and then be able to add elective arts to the mix and add to the MMA belt ranking over time. This approach would allow any art to be added so as to maintain the MMA status.

I forget who said it first, but the outcome from this would be a number of new yet similar "styles". Once the cores and any electives were integrated and made (as reasonable practical) seamless in competition/practice a new "art" would exist.

I forget who said it first, but the outcome from this would be a number of new yet similar "styles". Once the cores and any electives were integrated and made (as reasonable practical) seamless in competition/practice a new "art" would exist.

Not saying it should, but a devil's advocate has to do something.

Also: The black belt is supposed to be an intermediate level - i.e. the black belt has mastered all the basics and can now start the journey for real. But since every Dick and Jane and MCMAP instructor thinks that a black belt symbolizes some kind of mastery, it's an uphill battle.

However, if I founded a martial arts system, I would do the opposite. Black belts for the beginners and lighter and lighter belts until white to symbolize how the student is leaving weakness and ignorance behind.

Also: The black belt is supposed to be an intermediate level - i.e. the black belt has mastered all the basics and can now start the journey for real. But since every Dick and Jane and MCMAP instructor thinks that a black belt symbolizes some kind of mastery, it's an uphill battle.

i think most tma's have that view of black belt, but a bjj blackbelt is that kind of master, while a bjj blue belt, or purple, has the basics down. and lol at the mcmap reference.

However, if I founded a martial arts system, I would do the opposite. Black belts for the beginners and lighter and lighter belts until white to symbolize how the student is leaving weakness and ignorance behind.

interesting idea, but would you include the camoflauge belts, the multi colored belts, and the sashes?